Adjustable standing boot jack



Jan. 22, 1935.

F. P. MEYER ADJUSTABLE STANDING BOOT JACK Filed April 20, 1934 2 Sheets-Shea?I l Jan. 22, 1935. F, R MEYER 1,988,804

ADJUSTABLE STANDING BOOT JACK Patented Jan. 22, 1.935

PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE STANDING BOOT JACK, v Fred P. Meyer, Seattle, vWash. y n AApplication April 20, 1934, Serial No. 721,479

The invention relates to boot-jacks.

Principal objects of the invention are:

To provide a boot-jack comprising mechanical devices for gripping the boot, standing erect;

l By means of which the foot may be WithdrawnV from the boot quickly, conveniently, and without' appreciable effort, by the vvwearer merely raising his leg; V

To provide a boot-jack which may quickly and conveniently be adjusted for use with boots of different sizes;

Which will present a neat appearance. Which will be simple in'construction, strong, durable, and relatively inexpensive to ture and maintain; and v To provide a boot-jack which may be folded very compactly into a small space, for conveniently packing, carrying and shipping the same.

Other objects of the invention willalso appear.-

To effect the objects thereof, a boot-jack em,- bodying my invention and improvements com-y prises the various features, and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

i In the accompanying drawings, in which the invention is fully illustrated,

Fig, l is a top plan view of a boot-jack embodying my invention and improvements, when folded; Y

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof, also when folded;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side View of the boot-jack, whenI folded, in a plane indicated by theline 3 3, Fig. 1; v

Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged, transverse, secf tional end'views in a line 4 4, 5 5, ofFig `1,

looking in opposite directions, as indicated, ref

v studs 8 are of such length that the distance spectively, by the arrows;

Fig. 6 is .an enlarged, transverse, sectional end A comprises a base section designated as a whole B, comprising a rectangular frame b consisting of said members 1,1', rigidly connectedy at their ends by transverse frame members 2, 2. For reasons presently apparent, the 4side frame members 1, 1, are provided with inwardly facing channels 3 which, as shown, extend the entire length thereof.

manufac-y For convenience and economy ythe frame b is made of metal channel ironsto.claims.'v (o1. 132-5) preferably` a continuous channel cutaway and-V bent at its corners to form the side and end members thereof, and abutting or adjacent cutaway corners of said flanges being rigidlyv connected, as by brazing, `Welding or other suitable or desired means. v

In order to conveniently grasp said base secf tion B, when it is desired to pick up the boot-jack,

it is supported in spaced relation to vthe oor or other surface on which it rests, by short legs or feet` 4, which preferably include one secured to each corner of the frame b, and one to each. end of a transverse bar 5 secured to the under sides of the side frame members 1, 1', at, approximately, the longitudinal centers thereof.'

Said base section B, also comprises a platform b on which the person using the boot-jack stands. As shown, said platform consists cfa rectangular piece of board or 'othersuitable relatively lightweight material, secured-as by screws or other suitable means-to the under side of which adjacent its opposite ends, are plates 7, 7', the lateral edges of which, in operation, rests upon the lower flanges of the side frame members 1, 1', so as to beadjustable lengthwise of said base section B, and which comprisesmeans for securing said` platform in different adjusted positions on said studs 8 secured in and which project downwards Y from the bottom of the rear plate 7, and are interchangeable in series of holes 9 formed in the bottom flanges of said side frame members, as shown, see Figs. V2, 5 and 8. K

As shown, the board 6 is proportioned to fity 1, 1, between the side bars or members 1, 1, of the frame b with only slight clearance, `and the between their outer ends and the plane of the top side of the plate 7 is sufficiently less than the width of the channels in the side frame members 1, 1', to permit raising movement thereof to effect engagement 'and' disengagement of r said i studs 8 with and from the holes 9 in the bottom flanges of said frame members.

In use, the front plate 7 will sustain most ofA the weight of a person using the boot-jack, and, for that reason, its dimension lengthwise of the v frame members 1, 1', is appreciably greater than that of the rear plate 7', thus rendering said plate 7 correspondingly stronger than the plate 7.

As shown, the vboard 6 forming the supporting surface of thevplatform b is of such thickness. that its upper surface will be positioned at a disv tance above the tops of the side frame members 1, 1', of the base frame 'b about equal to the width of the web portions of said frame members.

The operative parts of the boot-jack are mounted on the base section B, and comprise a slide member designated as a Whole b2, which comprises tongues or projections 10 on its lateral edges which are slidably fitted to the channels in the side frame members 1, 1', of the base frame b.

As shown, also, the slide member b2 also comprises a raised portion. 11, the relation` preferably being such that its top will be in substantially the same plane as the top of the platform b. As shown, also, said slide member is reinforced` and strengthened by a metal plate 12 secured to its under side, which preferably is ofi the same width as said slide member and forms the .sur-a face thereof which slidably engages the bottom anges of the side frame membeis 151;', of the base frame b, as explained.

In accordance with the invention, movement is adapted to be imparted to the slide member b? towards and from theirelatively fixed platform b', bymeans of alever designated as awhole b3, one end of which is pivoted to lugs. 13 secured tothe front transverse frame member 2 ofthe base frame b adjacent its opposite ends, andV which. is Connected with the slide. member b2 by links14, which, in the preferable construction shown, are cross-.connected adjacent their ends pivoted to the lever b3 by abale 15, which willV cause said linls 14 to turn together.

As shown, the lever b3 is of substantially the` same construction and size, as near as may be, as the base frame b and ispivoted to said, base frame in such relation thatk it may be turned pivetelly into Contact with Seid base frame. in Whiehrositien the marginal, edges. of saidbaseframe b and lever b3 will register witheach other.

As shownthe linkslfi, which connect the side members f the lever b3 with the Slide mernlfzei b2 are connected directly to the lateralfsides o f said slide member, as shownsee Figs, 1 and 7, t0 the raised portion 1:1 Qf Said Slide. member b?, which is sufeieritlv narrower than the spar-ebetween the side members 1, 1 ',k ofA said leverl to permit Seid, links 14) and the Connections therefor to enter freely between saidgside members andl the raised portion ofsaid slide member, to permit said lever to be turnedpivotally into contact With the base frame b.

As shown, the lever b3 is identical', both construction and size, as nearA as may be, wit h the base frame b` and the foregoing descriptionYV of said base frame will apply equally to said. lever, and,-without repetition, similar parts of saidjlever and=base frame are designated by the same reference characters on the drawings.

T o prevent spreadingofsthe side membersr1', 1', both of the base frame b andof the lever b3, said side frame members of both structures, are connected between their ends, by tie-bars applied to their outer sides, when theyv are folded togethen-see Figs. 1, 2.and7-which may be the bar 5 which connects the side members of the base frame b, and a similar bar, also designated 5which connects the members of said lever.

In accordance with the invention, my improved, boot-jack comprises means rendered operative by movement of the slide member b2, motivated by the operating lever b3, for gripping a boot. Worn by a person standing on the platform b', by jaws formed on said slide member and the platform b. As shown, said gripping jaws, consist 0f Openings. 17,.1.7!,formedirespeetively, in the proximate ends of` the, portions or the platform b and slide member b2', which, respectively, are secured to the upper sides of the metal plates 7 and 12, respectively, and which form supporting surfaces for the heel and toe of a boot while being removed.

As shown, the openings 17, 17', are of substantially the same shape and size and are arranged symmetrically with reference to the longitudinal center line of the base portion of B of the bootjack and, also, substantially symmetrically with reference to the meeting line thereof, when the proximate ends of said platform and slide member are in contact, said openings being widest at their open ends and the sides thereof converging-towards theirv inner ends at angles of approximately forty-five (45) degrees, but which, within the scope and contemplation of the invention, may var-y. within considerable limits. In removing.v a boot, it is inserted into the boot-jack with the heel in engagement with the opening 17 and resting upon the plate 7, and the toe thereof in engagement with the opening 17 in the,A slide member b2 and resting on the plate 12 which slidably supports said slide member, and to provide for effectively gripping said boot, the platform b is made of such thickness that it will engage the counter of the boot, while the sides of the opening 17' comprise lower portions 18 arranged at right angles to the plane of the platform, and upper portions 19, which are under-cut, being preferably bevelled, said lower portion being arranged to contact with the edges of the sole of the boot and to guide it into said opening, as presently described, and the bevelled'uppery portion being arranged to grip the'upper edges of the sole of the boot. In the preferable construction, shown, also, the sides of both openings 17, 17 are-faced with strips of relatively hardsmooth material, as vulcanized fiber, which will not roughenthe parts of a boot which contact therewith, respectively, and which may readily be removed'. and, renewed, in case they become Worn or broken` in` use.

Preferably and as indicated in the drawings, the top surfaces of the platform b', the slide member b2, and the portions of the plates 7 and 12 exposed at the bottomsof the openings. 17,

17', are covered with rubber matting, indicated at 2Q, thus providing a sure footing for a person using the boot-jack, and which may readily be renewed in case they become worn, whereby the boot-jack will always present aV neat andattractive appearance.

As previously explained, the operating lever bispivoted to the base frame b in such manner and relation that it may be turned'pivotally into Contact with said basefframe b, and in accordance with the invention, the boot-jack A is adaptedto be secured-in such folded position by means of` locking means consisting, as shown, see Fig. 6, of plates 21, slidably mounted on base plates 22 secured in fixedposition to the rear end of the platform b', so that they will throw outwards, land,

studsy 8 on the supporting plate 7l forysad platform in engagement with-the holes Qin the lower anges of the channels in the-side members 1, 1,', ofthe base. frame b, thus securing said-plat-v form inrelatively fixed position to saidplatform and lever.- 'n

In the preferable construction shown, also, rub- 4 ber pads or cushions 24 are secured to the side frame members 1 or 1' of the base frame bV or lever b3 designed to contact with each other when said lever is turned pivotally into folded-position, which will reduce both shock and noise in handling the boot-jack, particularly should said lever contactwith said base frame with any considerable force. Said pads or cushions, preferably, will be secured to the lever b3, but may be secured to the base frame, if desired.

As shown, the locking plates 2l are slidably mounted on the baseplates 22 secured to the rear end of the platform b by means of guide grooves,- to which thev edges of said locking plates are iitted, formed by the turned-overedges of said base plates, in a familiarmanner.A The locking plates 21 are confined in their bearings on the base plates 22 by studs 25 secured in and whichproject from the rear end of the platform b', in position to limit withdrawal of said locking plates from their bearings. ulating said locking plates 2l, they are provided with holes 26, arranged and proportioned for engagementby the iinger of a person using said boot-jack.

While I consider the locking meansfor securing the base frame b and lever b3 shown and described, as preferable, mechanics familiar with such devices can readily supply other locking means. 'I do not, therefore, desire to limit myself to the particular locking means shown, but

to extend the protection of the patentto any,

means for the purpose.

Having thus described my improved I will now describe the method of operating the same.

Starting with the boot-jack in folded position, substantially as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the first operation is to withdraw the lockingplates 21 to permit the boot-jack to be extended. Having done this, a person desiring to remove his boots, iirst turns the lever 'o3 into the position shown in Fig. 7. If the platform b' is properly adjusted for removing the size of boot worn by `said person, he then grasps'the free end of the lever b3, stepsv upon the platform b', and inserts one boot into the space defined by the openings 17, 17 formed in the proximate ends of said platform and the slide member b2, with the heel and sole ofA the boot resting on the supporting plates 7 of the platform, and 12 of said kslide member, with his weight, for the most part, carried on the foot and leg resting on the platform b.

He then exerts a pull on the free end of the lever b3 to advance the slide member b2 towards Jthe platform bwhich will first operate to force the bevelled sides of the opening 17 in said slide member into engagement with the sole of the boot, and will then cr-owd the foot of the boot into the opening 17 in the platform b to effect contact of the heel portion of the boot-preferably the counter thereof--vvith the converging sides of said opening. Owing to the great leverage with which the lever b3 acts, the jaws of the jack may be caused to engage the boot with a grip of almost any desired strength,- by the application to said lever of relatively little force.

In case it is found that the position of the platform b relative to the slide member b2,v isincorrect, its position can readily be adjusted by raising said platform to disengage theV studs 8 thereon from the holes 9 in the bottom anges of the side members 1, 1', of the base frame b and then move "said platform oner directionor For conveniencein manipboot-jack,

the other,ras it,may be found necessary to increase or decrease the operative size of the space defined by said openingsl'l, 1'7', in said vplatform and slide members, respectively.

I claim,

1. In a boot-jack, the combination of a baseV section comprising a supporting frame, a plat-. form, means for mounting said platform on said supporting frame, a slide member, means for slidably mounting said member on said supporting frame, means for imparting relative,

the platform is adjustably mounted on the supl porting frame, and which comprises means for securing the same in adjusted positions thereto. 4. The boot-jack specified in claim 1, in which the platform is adjustably mounted on the supporting frame, and which comprises means for securing the same in adjusted positions thereto, consisting of a stud secured to said platform which is interchangeable in a series of holes formed in said supportingframe.

5. The boot-jack specified in claim 1, in which the platform is adjustably mounted on the supporting frame, and which comprises means for securing it in adjusted positions thereto, and in.

which, also, the slide member is slidably mounted on said supporting frame and is movable thereon towards and from said platform, and which comy prises means for imparting movement thereto to- Wards and from said platform.

6. The boot-jack specified in claim l, in which the platform is adjustably mounted on the supl porting frame, and which comprises means for securing it in adjusted positions thereto, and in which, also, the slide member is slidably mounted on said supporting frame and is movable towards t and from said platform, and which comprises means operable by a person standing on the platform of the boot-jack, for imparting movement to'said slide member towards and from said platform to effect engagement of the jaws thereon, respectively,l with a boot supported between said slide member and the platform, and to release the same.

'7. The' boot-jack specified in claim 1, in which the platform is adjustably mounted on the supporting frame, and which comprises means for securing it in adjusted positions thereto, and in which, also, the slide member is slidably mounted on said supporting frame and is movable towards and from said platform, and which comprises means operable by a person standing on the platform of the boot-jack, for imparting movement to said slide member towards and from said platform to eiect engagement of the jaws thereon,

respectively, with a boot supported between said slide member and the platform, and to release` the same,v and consisting of a lever pivoted to,

said supporting frame and a link or links which connect-said lever with said slide member.`

"I'helvboot-jack specified in claim ,1, in which the. platform is4 adjustablymounted on the.` sup-- portingA frame, and which comprisesl-means-for' securing it in adjusted position thereto, an'din; which, also, the slide member is slidably mountedA on said supporting frame and is movable towards and from.y said platform', and which comprises means operable by a person standing on the platform of the boot-jack for imparting movementto Y ranged to be turned or folded into contact there`v with, and which comprises locking means for securi-ng said supporting frame and lever together in folded position.

10'.` The boot--jack-speciied in claim 1, in which the means for motivating the slidemember isa lever pivoted to thesu-pporting frameand ar-y ranged to be turned or folded into con-tact therewith, and which comprises locking means for securing said supporting frame and level'` together in folded positionand the platform of the bootjack to said supporting frame.

l1. In a boot-jack, the combination of a base section comprising a n rectangular supporting frame consisting of side frame members provided with channels in theirinner sides, and' end 'members whiclrrigidly connect saidframe'mem-bers inparallel, spaced' relation, a platformy mounted on said supporting frame comprising a block of wood or other suitable material proportioned-to fit between theside members of said supporting frame with operating clearance, means for mounting said block on said frame' consisting of a plate or plates secured to the under side of said block, said plate or plates being-wider than said block and projecting at opposite sides thereof into'A engagement with the channels in theA side frames and resting on the bottom sides thereof, and means for securing said'platformin fixed positions on the supporting'frame of saidv base section.

l2. The boot-jack specified in claim 11, which alsoV comprises a slide member, tongues orprojections thereon which'slidably engage the channels in the side members ofthe supportingv frame of' the base section of the boot-jack, and means operable by a person standing on the platform of the bootjack forimparting movement`to said slide member towards `and from .said platform.

13. The boot-jack specified. in claim 11, in which the platform is adjustable lengthwise of the side members of the supporting frame, andv which comprises a slide member, tongues or projections thereon which slidably engage the channels in the side members ofthe supporting frame of the base section of the boot-jack, and means operable by a person standing on the platform of the boot-jack for imparting movement to said slide member towards and from said platform.

14. The boot-jack specified inr claim 11,` in which the platform is adjustable lengthwise of.

thev side members of the supprortingY frame, and", whichcomprises a slide member, tongues or proj jections thereon which sli'dably engage ithe'channels inI the side members of the supportingframe of the base vsectionof the bootejack; andY means escasos operable byf a L persol'fr stai-'idingy `on `the platform of'thevbootejac-kfor impartingmovementl to said sli'defmember towards and from said platform,

and-means forlsecu-ring said platform in iixed po-V sitiononthe-'supporting frame ofthe base section of jthe boot-jack.

` 1`5.` The bootej'acls specified in claim 11, inl

which the platform is adjustable lengthwise of the 'sidemembers of the supporting frame, and which-comprises'aslide member, tongues or pro-- jections thereon which sli'dabl)l engage the channels-in the side -members of thesupportingframe of the base section of theboot-j-aek, and means opera-bler byfa' person stan-ding on the platform of the boot-jack-` for imparting movement to said slide member towards and from said platform, andmeansfor securing said platform in fixed position on-the' supporting frame of the base-sec-l tion of theboot-jack, consisting of a stud secured in the platform' thereof and interchangeable in holes? formed in aside member of the supporting frame of 'the boot-jack arranged in series lengthwisethereof.

16. The boot-jack specified in claim 11, in

which-the-platformis adjustable lengthwise of the side members of the supporting frame, and which comprises va slide member, tongues or projections thereon which slidably engage the channels-in thelside mem-bers ofthe supporting frame of thebasefsectionof the boot-jack, and means operableby a persone stand-ing on the platform of the'-bootjaekl for imparting movement to said slide member towards and from said platform, and means for securing said platform in fixed position on the supporting frame of the base sectiony ofthe boot-jack, consisting of a stud secured in the platform thereof and interchangeable in holes formedin ythe-bottom of a channel'of a side member of the supportingframe of the base section, the widthof said channel being proportioned to permit engagement and disengagement of said stud with and from said holes.

17. The boot-jack speciiied in claim l1, which also comprises a slide member, tongues or projections thereon which slidably engage the channels in the side members of the supporting frame of the base section, means operable by a person? standing on theA platform of theibootjack for imparting movement to said slide membervto wards and from said platform, consisting of a lever pivoted to thesupporting frame of theV base member, and a'link or links which pivotally connect said leverwith said slide member.

18. The boot-jack specified in claimr 11, which also comprises a slide member, tongues or projections-thereon whichl slidably engage the channels in the sidemembers of the supporting frame of the base section, means operable by a person standingon thev platform of the boot-jack for imparting Amovement toisaid slidevmember towards and from said platform, consisting of a lever pivoted to the supporting frame ofthe base member, and a link or links which pivotally connectsaidr lever with said slide member, said lever beingsubstantiallysimilar in shape, size and `construction to the supporting frame of the base sectionof the boot-jack, and mounted thereon in such relation `that it-may bev turned into contact with said supporting frame and Will register therewith'. Y

19. The bootejack specified in claim 11, which also comprisesa'` slidemember, means for slidablyl mounting'said slide member on the side members of' the supporting frame of the bootjack, a" metal' platesecured to the bottom of said slide member, said platform and said slide member being provided in their proximate ends with openings, the sides of which converge inwardly and the bottoms of which are closed by the plates secured to the bottoms thereof, respectively, forming supports for the heel and toe portions of a boot to be removed, Worn by a person standing on the platform of the bootjack and forming jaws arranged to grip a boot resting on said supporting plates, and means for efecting contemplated engagement of said gripping jaws with said boot.

20. The boot-jack specified in claim 11, which also comprises a slide member, means for slidably mounting said slide member yon the side members of the supporting frame of the bootjack, a metal plate secured to the bottom of said slide member, said platform and said slide member being provided in their proximate ends with openings, the sides of which converge inwardly and the bottoms of which are closed by the plates secured to the bottoms thereof, respectively, forming supports for the heel and toe portions of a boot to be removed, and forming jaws arranged to grip a boot resting on said supporting plates, and means for effecting contemplated engagement of said gripping jaws with said boot, the sides of the opening in the platform being proportioned to engage the counter vof the boot, and the opening in the slide member comprising an under-cut portion arranged to eX- tend inwards over the edges of the sole of a boot inserted into contemplated engagement therewith.

FRED P. MEYER. 

